Following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket, Shubman Gill has risen as the new face of India’s red-ball cricket. Appointed captain for the England tour, Shubman Gill impressed with his leadership and batting, helping India draw the series 2-2. Shubman Gill’s stellar performances on and off the field have now made him one of the most marketable cricketers in the country, often referred to as the “Prince” of Team India, challenging the legendary Virat Kohli in influence.
During the 5-match Test series in England, Shubman Gill was the highest run-scorer, amassing 754 runs. Following this success, his brand value reportedly increased by 30–40%, endorsing over two dozen brands, including Coca-Cola, Deode, and Nike. Shubman Gill reportedly earns ₹6–10 crore per deal, with his annual endorsement income for 2024 around ₹40 crore, which is expected to rise further given his current form and popularity.
Ahead of Asia Cup 2025, there was speculation about Shubman Gill’s role in the T20 squad. The final announcement confirmed his selection as vice-captain, and he is set to open alongside Abhishek Sharma, continuing his flair at the top of the order. Shubman Gill’s team mate of the Gujarat Titan’s R Sai Kishore while praising Shubman Gill’s rhetorical rise in the Indian cricket circuit spilled beans on what he had to face while playing against a batter of a calibre of Shubman Gill.
Gujarat Titans rising star R Sai Kishore in all praise of Shubman Gill ahead of IPL 2026.
Star Tamil Nadu and Gujarat Titans (GT) spinner, Sai Kishore, has revealed how the India National Cricket Team Test skipper, Shubman Gill, made him struggle for four long years in domestic cricket.Tamil Nadu spinner R Sai Kishore opened up about the struggles he faced while facing Shubman Gill in domestic cricket, which forced him to change his trajectory.
Shubman Gill’s stock has risen rapidly recently, and he was appointed the Test skipper ahead of the England tour, where he led the Indian team to a 2-2 series draw. The 25-year-old had a record-breaking series with 754 runs in five Tests. Shubman Gill first showcased his talent during the U-19 World Cup, where his consistency and stroke play stood out. He then carried that form into domestic cricket, piling up runs across formats, which eventually paved the way for his selection into the Indian team.
Sai Kishore said that Shubman Gill found it very easy to play against him, and the batter made his life hard, which forced him to change his bowling trajectory.Sai Kishore, who played under Shubman Gill’s captaincy in IPL for Gujarat Titans, spoke about the qualities India’s Test captain had displayed since his younger days. He mentioned how he had to adjust his bowling angles and develop new variations just to challenge Shubman Gill.
Shubman Gill and Kishore are teammates at the Gujarat Titans (GT), and the duo have delivered sensational performances for the franchise on a consistent basis. Sai Kishore has been a key weapon of captain Shubman Gill and has picked up 32 wickets for the IPL 2022 Champions in three seasons. Meanwhile, Kishore labelled Gill as a prodigy and recalled being troubled by the batter in domestic cricket, which forced him to add new weapons to his arsenal.
“Shubman is a prodigy. I’ve known him since he was 16. The first time we played him in Under-19s, he scored 260 in Patiala. Later in the Ranji Trophy, he got 270. Honestly, it took me four years to figure him out. I even went back to my coach, Ram Kumar, and said: There’s this guy who’s just smashing me around — what can I do? I had to change my trajectory and work on new things purely because of Shubman. I’ve told him this story too,” Sai Kishore told Sportstar.
Sai Kishore lauded Shubman Gill’s smooth transition into leadership, highlighting how the young opener has embraced captaincy with remarkable ease. Gill stepped up when India needed a skipper after proving his credentials in IPL the last couple of seasons, a move that Kishore believes reflects his natural ability to lead.
“He’s taken to captaincy like fish to water. Remember, he had never even captained Punjab because he was always with India. But when the Indian team needed a leader, Shubman stepped in. I’m very happy to see how naturally he’s adapted. Hopefully, in the coming years, he’ll grow into a proper leader,” said Sai Kishore.
Gill won the Player of the Series award for India in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 against the England National Cricket Team, which was his first series as the Test captain.
Shubman Gill finished as the leading run-getter in the five-match Test series between India and England as he scored 754 runs at an average of 75.40. The 25-year-old was recently appointed as the vice-captain of the Indian T20I team, replacing Axar Patel in the role, and will be next seen in action in the Asia Cup 2025.
Asia Cup 2025 will be played in the T20 format from September 9 to 28. India is the formal host of the Asia Cup 2025, but due to political and logistical reasons, the tournament will be held in the UAE. A total of eight teams will take part in the tournament, and the teams have been divided into two group.
Also Read: ENG vs IND : Shubman Gill Appointed Test Skipper For Red Ball